What are the Texans biggest holes, and how would you fix them?

as you I´m frustrated by the lack of progression of this team. We are probably gonna finish in the 7-9 to 9-7 range and miss the playoffs again... Doing some changes in the coaching staff is probably on the top of the priority list for most guys - but what about our roster? Where do we desperately need to add talent and how?

I´d say we are pretty much set at QB, HB, FB, TE and probably WR on offense. The O-line is actually doing a pretty good job this year, but I´d probably feel better, if we add on or two players here at the offseason. Perhaps draft one early and sign one as a FA.

Now to the defense - I´d say we are set at DE. I know a lot of you guys are upset with the pass rush, but I think with Mario, Smith, Barwin and Anderson we have enough quality here. What we are missing is another force at DT - drafting DTs is pretty tough, I´d love to sign a proven veteran here, but they are hard to get. Our LB corps looks pretty good when healthy, but I felt better, if we signed another promising project in the latter rounds.

Now to our secondary - the root of all that evil this year ;-). In my opinion, drafting a FS would be at the top of my priority list this offseason - if you can sign a great veteran, sure do that, but pretty often rookies at FS actually contribute more than rookies at CB. That`s why I wouldn`t draft another CB high this year (perhaps a 4th rounder), unless some big talent falls into our laps. But a big Free Agent signing here would definetly help.

On the ST side, we need a KR and PR - but I wouldn`t draft a dedicated returner like Holiday - perhaps just draft a young CB who is a good returner. Oh, and we definetly need a punter this year - Turk isn`t really having a good season, and we are definetly losing the match of field position.

Get the coaching fixed first. Then, put the defensive depth chart on the wall, grab a dart, throw it at the chart and wherever it hits....start there. IMO, there's not a position on that side of the ball that couldn't use an upgrade, especially DT. I'm tired of seeing DT's around the league create havoc in the trenches and then watch the Texans play.

It's so sad our defense is this bad when we've spent so much on that side of the ball. Ridiculous

Starting the very first day after the last regular season game (since we won't be in the playoffs...again) I would fire the entire coaching staff, including the special teams coach. Gone. All of them.

I would have a mandatory meeting with all the players at Reliant and tell the players that we're going to start from scratch and if they desire to be a part of it, then stick around. If not, stop cashing the paychecks and go find work elsewhere. I'd take a real hard-line stance on it. I'd conduct the player meetings and ask them for input. "What's working? What isn't?" and "What do you think this team should focus on?" A lot of people here think this is rubbish to do these sorts of things. It CAN be rubbish if you don't manage that sort of meeting very well. If you go into it with the goal of trying to understand what they think, how they feel, and get insight as to what's going on, you can then find a coach based on knowing he can change those things.

Having ZERO coaches is not a bad thing. It doesn't communicate failure, or panic, etc. It says "You know what? Let's just stop everything. Let's erase the chalkboard and ask the players--the guys out there battling each week--for input and insight. They know a lot more than you can ever imagine. They have a shred of dignity and self-respect left. All men do. But it has to be encouraged to express itself. Openly. Honestly.

Then, I would take my information and guard it like precious treasure. Only I would know that information. And maybe my GM. Maybe. And then, I would begin interviewing anybody I felt had carried the scepter of leadership (with previous teams) in such a way that it would benefit my players and adjust the culture and way of doing things.

Also, gotta' hire a coach who would leave some things untouched. The running game is working really well. The stats prove it. The passing game has suffered this year after a steady increase each previous year, so it needs help again. One of the things Tommy Tuberville did wrong, IMO, is that he said he wasn't going to change anything and yet the key coaches on offense and defense were gone. Big mistake. He should have came in as more of an outside observer and someone who would act as sheriff and keep the law. At least for his first year. Keep things going like they were, as much as possible. But he couldn't resist putting "his" stamp on things. And he has failed miserably. The defense is worse than it was, and the offense has lost its signature style and flavor. 10 years of Leach's guys, building and adjusting all those years, getting it tweaked and primed for performance each Saturday, and they were ousted.

So the new guy has to be very aware of the existing things that are working and he has to be cautious about dismantling things too quickly.

We've given Gary 5 years. I can give the new guy a pass on his first year if it means ramping things up in year 2 and beyond.

WR (AJ is the best in the NFL, but his supporting cast are all bums)
Guard

Defense:

DT
FSWLB

As for fixing it, just go BPA in the draft. Which means no more Kareem Jacksons over Dez Byrants or Amobi Okoyes over Patrick Willis

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Who does Zac Diles get no love? I'm not saying we cant improve at that position but I think he is one of the most underrated players in the league. Im also so tired of people complaining about why We took Okoye over Willis. At the time DeMeco was coming off his DROY season and we were weak at DT. That would be like us taking a SAM Linebacker after Cushings DROY season. Besides its not like we knew Okoye would be terrible, we tried to fill a hole with a high potential high draft pick.

I gotta say at DC. The league is FULL of HC's that are experts on 1 side of the ball and that's where their teams are best. Kubes is an offensive guy and we have a good offense. Slow as hell to start a game,yes, but still a good offensive squad.
Our D is in shambles. We have multiple #1 picks and still struggle. We need someone less system oriented and someone more player oriented to put guys where they need to be and able to play within themselves.

I gotta say at DC. The league is FULL of HC's that are experts on 1 side of the ball and that's where their teams are best. Kubes is an offensive guy and we have a good offense. Slow as hell to start a game,yes, but still a good offensive squad.
Our D is in shambles. We have multiple #1 picks and still struggle. We need someone less system oriented and someone more player oriented to put guys where they need to be and able to play within themselves.

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There has also been lots of HC's that were experts on one side of the ball, that dominated on the other side... ie. Billick and the Ravens